Elastic-fluid turbine



Oct. 9, 1923. 1,469,908

I I H. T. HERR ELASTIC FLUID TURB INE Filed Aug. 26, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet HTHerr INVENTOR ATTORNEY Oct. 9, 1923.

H. T. HERR ELASTIC FLUID TURBINE Filed Aug. 26, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

HTIZ' I" AITORNEY Patented Get. 9, 1923.

ll ts 3 HERBERT T. HERE, on ignition. PENNSYLVANIA, assrenon T0 WESTINGHOUSE Erin's TRIO AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

ELASTIC-FLUID TURBINE.

Application filed. August 26, 1921. Serial No. 495,5 4=5.

T all to]; am it may concern Be it known that u l, brie ur. '1'. Hana, a zen oithe United Fitates, and ares-'ident r-ierion, the county at llloutgomery blading thereof, and it has for its object to provide apparatus of the character desig, nated which is efficient in operation, Whichis econom cal to construct, and which may be built in large units. r

In the drawings, Figure. l'is a fragmen-J tary longitudinal sectional view of an elastic-fluid turbine showing my improved lGW-PLGSSUI'G section applied thereto; Figs. 2 and are vie lvs similar to Fig. 1, but showing modified form's otlowpressure sec:- tions; Figs. 4. 5, and Gare detail views ol? portions or my improved blades; Fig. 7 is a sectional "view along the. line VIIVll of Fig. l; and Fig. 8 shows a feature of my invention applicable to any of the modifications. f

The size 01' islimited by the capacit of the last row of blades to pass large volhmes o f low-pressure elastic fluid, and, the capacity is limited, in the first place, by the permissible blade height in view of the centrifugalstresses, and, in the second place, by the eliicienc ot'tlie last rovv, ivl1ich, for a given blade height is loivered'as the outlet angles are made larger in order to pass large volumes of low-pressureelastic fluid."

in the reissue patent ofKarl Baumann.

No. 15,092, reissued April 26, 1921, there is disclosed an elastic-fluid turbine having a low-pressure section in which the elastic" d State oi Pennsylvania, have invented a. .W and useful lmproven'ient in Elastic jficiency.

elastic-fluid turbine unit Baumann permits of the construe-- Manufacturing Company, and Alexander'T. 1 Kasley "S-erial Nos 8 6,517 filed July 21. 1921, and also assigned to theiWestinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, there are disclosednevv forms of low-pressure sec Fri- ' assigned to the ,VTestinghouse Electric 8; '7 V .tion blading which serve to increase the efliciency of an elastic-fluid turbine as Well as to permit of the eonstruction'ot larger units. she low-pressure blading, in these cases, relatively Wide and the elastic Vtl'uid is received at one side and is expanded and discharged at the tips or at the tips and at the other'side, the tip or peripheraldischarge permitting of the provision of adequate discharge area as Well as ot'high effective blade speeds to utilize more efiectively the kinetic energy of the elastic fluid. Also, as a dischargearea at least as great as the area swept by the inlet edges oi the blades may be provided, it is possible to pro vide'the blades with small outlet or discharge angles, thereby improving. the blade e1- Accordingly, itis the object-of my invention to improve/the capacity of the blading ofan elastic-fluid turbine section, par ticularly the last. or low p ressure sectiou over that possible in the turbines disclosed in. the applications of Schmidt and Kasley Orin thepatent to Baumann, aforesaid, I accomplish this result by dividing theelastic fluid into a plurality ol portions and providing a rower" energy-abstracting elements for each portion'Which shall receive a p01- 5 tion of the elastic fluidat one side and discharge it atthe tips or peripherally orsubstantially at right angles to the direeti-on of iii-flow; construction is capable of handling relatively largev olumes of lowpressure elastic fiuidefiiciently, andit. is also relativelycheap and easy to make.

Referring to the drawings for a more detailed explanation of my invention, in Fig.

1, I show a turbine comprising a rotor 10 and a casing or cylinder 11 togetherwith rows of stationary and moving blades 12 and 13, ofany suitable type, for example, the reaction type, carried. by the rotor and easing or cylinder, respectively. Elastic fluid is expanded and energy 1s abstracted in the roivs-o t blades12and 13,, and the last of'thegmovmg rows of blades 13discharges elastic; fiuid -tor' turther expanslon an-rl energy abstract on 111 my; improved 10wor peripheral discharge edge 46. The bucket is so shaped as to abielocity energy from the elastic fluid n between the inlet edges and to e the direction of flow of the'elastic fluid from approxiina sly an axial to approximately a radial direction.

a tip The buckets maybe so 'lcrniedv as to have portions thereof extending above and belowthe inner portions of the blades, as may be inore clearly seen from. Fig. .Tliis. provides tor a better possible distributionof the inass-ot each bucket relatively to the blade carrying it as well as for a compact and substantial assembly of the bucket poi tions. N

Each bucket has an inner cut-awayportion l? at the front and a projecting rib l8 at the back; and, when assen'ibled,.the

ribs lit into the cut-away portions, thereby providing fora rigid supporting of the'im- As may be seen "from Figs. fiend 6, the buckets nest together to define elastic fluid passageways.

pulse portions'or buckets.

as herein idetined,

In order to reduce eddying in the buckets, I provide rounded corner lug members 49 which serve to guide the elastic 'fluid-so that it, may enter between the inlet edges, impart energy to the buckets,a'nd haveits direction changed for peripheraldischarge with little loss on account of eddying. Fig. 4: shows a guide member l9 extending inwardly diagonally from the outer inlet corner ot the bucket. These guide nieinbers effectivelyprevent cross-flow of elastic fluid near: tl e peripheral edges which, if allowed to takep elastic fluid setup eddying. t is to be understood that particular details of the impulse bucket may varied to, suit requirements of design or 'wishes maintained at a. high value As the elastic fluid is discharged peripherally, it is ob;

vious that the reactive force of the expanding elastic fluid-is applied thereto at points inoylng at high eft'ectivegspeeds', whereby etlici it conversation t kinetic energy into usetul work takes place.

'll hile Figs.

ing peripherally, such portions may also dischar e laterally, as shown in Fig. 8, and as disclosed in the aforesaid applications of,

' blades .17 into "lu -then. nnerand outer-ans Schmidt and Kasley.

ce, would, with the radially-flow laterally and discharging p p l, 2, and 3 show wide blades having theportions24t. 36, and 4:3 discharg- The peripherally-discharging reaction portions oi the wide blades shown in r gs.

r, 2, and 3 may. be provided with curved ribs, tor example, the ribs {t5 in Fig. "1, which serve not'only to strengthen'the blades but also to secure a change in direction of the elastic fluid with less eddying; These. ribs areprovided on the-blades in any suitable manner, and the opposing. ribs oi adjacent blades contact wto delinecurved reflecting walls to gradually change the (lirection of tlow ol' steain from an axial to a radial direction. Y i 1 1 The operation of apparatusanade ingto the above, operates follows fluid undergoes expansion andener straction in the rows. OfblfLClGS l2 and 13 in the usual way, and is discharged-from the last row of moving blades 12 tor action in the low-pressuresections. In 1,, the

elastic' fluid is divided into two annular portions by the wall or partition elements associated with the tirst row of stationary blades 17, the wall or partition eleiHents lS and the outer portions of the'blades delining expanding elastic fluid. passageways whereby the. outer annular portionottelas: tic fluid. isexpanded to substantially exhaust' pressure and is discharged at high yelocity for impingement against the one a. abstracting elements or; buckets 21, '10111 which the elast c flu d is discharged per pherally or at the tips to the eXl-iaust chain- .ber 16. {The innerannular portion ofelastic fluid is d scharged froin' the passages defined by the partition or, wall elements l8 and the inner portions of the blades 17,

in'a proper direction andat a Sllltflblcfifelocit y for actionon theinner'p ortions :22

or" the blades which are so designed as to abstract portion of the. energy or the inner portion of elastic fluid, the blade portions 22, at the 8211116 151316, be ng suitably designed so as to constitute-strong; supporting structure tor the outer energy.abstract ng or impulse port ons 21. The inn r annular portion of elastic fluid is discharged from the blade portions v 22 and. passes through thestationary row of blades23 where its direction and elocity are suitably niodilied'tor action upon the relatively wide blades 24. between which. the elastic fluid flows and is dischargred at theytips or peripherally, or the tips or peripherally andat one side totlieexhaust chamber 16. i The operation of a turbineconstructed in accordance with F g. 2 1s similar to that referred to inconnection with Fig. 1,-lout the division or", elastic fluid is carried a step nular portions, the outer annular portion belng expanded and discharged at high velocity from the passages defined by the blades 33 and the Wall or partition elements 34: for impingement against the energy-alistracting or impulse elements integral with and forming parts of the Wide bladesand the annular portion of elastic fluid being dis- "cha'rged i rom the passa es deiined by the inner portions 01'? the blades 33 and the par tition or WELll'GlGRlQHlJS' 34- at a suitable-veloo ity and in a proper direction for expansion between the portions 36 of the wide blades and for discharge therefrom at the tips. or peripherally or at the tips or peripherally and at the other side. I

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised turbine sections in which the elastic fluidis divided into a portions, each portion being adapted to give up its energyto separate energy-abstract'ing or blade portions arranged to receiveelastic fluid laterally and to discharge it at the tips or peripherally or peripherally and later ally, whereby efii'cient blade portions 'may be provided which are capable of accommodating large volumes of low-pressure elastic fluid; thereby permitting the constructlon of large andecononncally operating turbine units. Y v

lVhile I have shown my invention in three forms, it'Will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is sus ceptible of various other changes and'niodi' 'ficationsavithout departing from. the spirit thereof, and, I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as-are imposed. by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is 1. An elastic-fluid turbine comprising an axial-flow portion followed-by a per pheraldischarge portion'comprising a -.plurality of rows ot cn er -abstractin elements havin continuous surfaces and having lateral inlet edges for receiving elastic fluid flowing in an axial direction and having'peripheral discharge edges.

2,. An elastic fluidturbine' comprising an axial-flow portion and a peripheral-(lischarge portion comprising a plurality of rows of energy-abstracting elements having continuous surfaces, one or more of which elements are of the impulse type, adapted to receive elastic fluid from said axial-flow portion 3. An elastic-fluid turbine comprising a portion having a plurality of rows of energr-abstracting elements having contin uous surfaces; in which portion the elastic fluid flows in single direction and a portion comprising a plurality of roivs of moving energy abstracting elements said ele ments having inlet edges parallel to the discharge edges of-the last row of energy-ab plurality of stracting elements of said'first portion "and peripheral discharge edges.

itten elastic-fluid turbine comprising an enere abstracting portion in which the elastic fluid flows in the same general direction, a portion receiving elastic fluid from the first portion and including al'g rows oi? energy-abstracting elements adapted to receive elastic fluid inthe direction of flow of the firstpor'tion' from the first por-' tion and to discharge it substantially at right -angles to said direction and-means to keep the elastic fluid separate as it is discharged from two of said rows. v

5. An elastic-fluid turbine comprising a plurality of higher pressure stages,' and 'a lowpressure section including a stationary row of blades adapted to receive elastic fluid flowing from the higher pressure stages;

means cooperating with said blades to de- 'finc outer elastic-fluid expanding passages,-

tor expandingto exhaust pressure, and inner elastiofluld passages; a row of moving blades having outer impulse portions 6. In an elastic-fiuid turbine, a low-pres sure section comprising means for dividing the elastic fiuld into a plurality of portions and a row of peripherally-discharging blades for abstracting energy from each portion. V p

7. In an elastic-fluid turblne, a low-pressure section'having means for dividing the elastic fluid into two port ons and periph erally-dischargingi energy abstracting 'ele-' mentscooperating with each portion.

8. In an elastic-flu1d turbine ot' the axialflow type. a low-pressure section having means for dividing the elastic fluid into a plurality of portions and peripherallydischarging, energy-abstracting elements cooperating with each portion. p

' 9. In an elastic-fluid turbine. a low-pressure section having means for dividing the elastic fluid into a plurality of portions and energy-abstracting bucket or blade portions.

cooperating With the portions adapted to receive elastic fluid at the sides and'to dis charge it at the tips.

10. lnan elastic-fluid turbine, a low-pres sure sectionhavingmeans fordividing the elastic fluid into a plurality of portions and a row of peripherally-discharging, energyabstra'cting elements for each portion one row being'arranged behind another.

l mu

pressure an elasli'cflui :l turbine, 21- 1 vct: on comprising a plura rows of rnovzng'blades having 'conti lC fluid I 1-1: annular por tions, peripherally-dischargi a ring el ments for eacl portion 'and between the energy-abstractlor the portions to keep the l separate as it is nischarged In elastic-fluid turbine, a 10x resion co'mprisn means for dividing s. cner 'y-abstracting elements for-one of said (jllfi. receive another of said portions d to ex and discharge the latter substantially it angles to the direction of receipt.

ill

sure section having Incans'lor dividing the invo or more portions ,--abstracting elements cooperating y, h Jon and discharging substantially thereinto,

lf'nln an elastic-fluidturbine, a lo n-pros su e section having means for diviclingtlie geripherally-discharglng impulse elements i a for abstracting energy from one ofsaio or Lions and peripherallydischarging reaction elements for abstracting energy from another of said portions. V

16. In an elastic-fluid turbine, alow-pressure sec on havingmeansto divide the elastic mud into two port row of peripherally-dischargi'ng impulse ients for abstracting energy fromone no on and one or'more rows of reaction elements for abstracting energy from the other portion.

l7. In an elastic-fluid turbine, a low-pres- 1 sur section adapted substantially at right angles to the won in which it flows "therein-to compr i ng means for dividing the elastic fluid a plurality of portions, impulse "eles for abstracting energy from oneot energy from; another of said portions.

. energ 0' energy-ab 1c {laid into a plurality or portions, v

and a row of blades adapted in an elastic-fluid turbine, a low-pres right angles to the direction of -l'loW .astic fluid into a plurality of portions, i p y fluid discharged lrom said win, a moving" to discharge elastic portions, and reaction elements ior'ab 2; an axial direction and to abstract y therefrom by means-or a plurality of rc se tion designed to receive elastic fluid 7 rows oftip-discharging blades having con V tinuous surfaces and, having -lateral inlet edges;

means for segregating the elastic fluidxinto inner and outer portions and a row of blades i'or each 'DOltlOIl adapted to receive: axially flowing elastic li uid; to abstract energy therer discharge it radially or} inner and outer portionsand for xoanding L L, .jw r iheoute portion to exhaust pr essuie thereby increasing its velocity energy, a rowel? moving-blades having outerimpulse portions for abstracting velocity energy from sald outer portion and 1nner reaction portions urbine, a loW-presi means for segregating the elastic fluid into for abstracting energy'fromsaid inner por.-

tion of elastic fluid, and a row of peripher-iv ally'discharging blades for abstracting the available energy remaining in the elastic:

inner reaction portions. 22. In" an elastic-fluidturbine, a low-pres sure section comprising means for segregating the elastic fluid into inner-and outer portions and for" expanding the outer por tion to eXhaust pressure whereby its Velocity is increased, 7 impulse elements cooperating with said outer portionto abstractyelocity energy therefrom, anda row olrelatively Wide blades for expanding and dis charging the other portion peripherally.

23.ln an elastimflizid-turbine having a" plurality of axial rlowstages, a low-pressure section comprising means for segregating.

the elastic fluid received from said stages into inner and outer portions and for expanding the outer portion to a greater extent than the inner portion, peripherally-discharging impulse elements for abstracting ary blades means for dividing the blades into a plurality of portions having difler-' ent ii'atios'oi cxpansiom impulse elements for abstracting energy from the elastic fluid received i'rom the portion having the higher elastic fluid flowing from the portion ratio of expansion, and reaction elements adapted to discharge peripherally for ab- 'stracting the available portion of the en- "ergy of the elastic fluid rece ved from the portion having the-lower expansion ratio.

'25. In an elastic-fluid turbine, a low-pressure section comprising a first; row. oil stationary-blades, cleans Cooperating With the blades for dividing them into portions ha mg different ratios ofeizpansion and "l'jor segregating the elastic fluid passing there through, periplierally-d1schargmg impulse elements for abstracting energy from-'tl'ie elastic fluid flowing from the portion having the higher expansionratio, and reaction elements for abstracting energy from the ing the lower expansion ratio.

26, In anelast1c-fiu1d turbine,,a low-pressure'section comprising a first row of eta-l ftionary blades, means cooperating With the l 0" i Q F5 d T- aces 01 segie a ing e oias re auir. on

ingtherethrough into inner and outer portions,- and a. row of moving blades having outer peripherally-discharging portions for abstracting energy from said outer portion ol-elastic fluid'and inner aXial-llowportions; for abstracting energy from said inner portioii lot 61218110 fluid- 27, In; an elastic-fluid turbine, a low-pressure sect on having.- means for successively "dividing: the elastic fluid, flouting therethroughinto a plurality of portions, and

" peripheral!ydisch'arging, energy-abstracting elei'iiients; cooperating With each portion.

28. In anelast c-fluid tu'rbi ne,a low-pressure section comprisinga plurality-oi rows of stationary and moving blades, one or "inoreof' the rows of stationaryblades being divided to define portions having different ratios of expansion and the moving rows oi"- blades having energy-abstracting portions adapted to receive elastic-fluid at one ,ide and to discharge it at the tips.

2-9. Inan elastic-fluid turbine, a low-pressure section comprising means'foi dividing the elastic fluid into a plurality of annular portions, a row of movingblades having tho-discharging, energy-abstracting portions for one vai'inular portion andrinner side- Wise 'dischargi-ng energy-abstracting elements for another annular portion, a stationary row of guide blades for the lastnamed annular portion, and a row of tip har- ' the elastic fluid into inner subscribed my name August, 1921.

discharging blades receiving said last-named portion at one side. 80, lnan elastic-i sure section comprising means for dividing v the elastic fluid into a plurality of annular portions, a row of moving blades having tips discharging, energy abstracting portions for one annular portion, and inner, sideu'ise-dis charging, energy-abstracting elements ior another annular portion, a stationary row of guide blades for the last-named annular portion, a row of ti discharging blades rev ceiving said last-na one side, and supporting means for the guide 1 annular portion at blades provided with means to keep separate the elastic fluid discharged 'i I'OIl'IillQlOWVS of blades whereby eddy losses areminiinized'q 31. In an elastic-fluid turbine, a loW-pressure section comprising a first row of blades, means cooperating therewith to segregate ressure a row of movin biades havin a a b outer energyabstracting portions of the inn pulse type adapted to receive said outer portion at one side and discharge it at the ti island inner ener abstractinv portions u c) i.- 7

a stationary row of guide blades adapted to receive said inner portion and to direct it at the proper velocity and in the proper direction, and a roiv of relatively Wide blades adapted to receiye elastic fluid at one outer portions; and to expand theouter port onto a lower iuid turbine, low-pres- 7 side from the'guide blades and to discharge it at the tips. V

In" an elastic-fluid turbine, a section comprising means for dividing the elastic fluid into a plurality of portions and rows ot energy-abstracting elements cooperating at one sideand to discharge itat the tip and reaction portion adapted to receiv elastic fluid at the side and to expand and discharge it at thetip. Y

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto this 12th day of HERBERT T. HERE.

turbine blade comprising an an- 

